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The bachelor of science degree is designed for students committed to a career in research. It can be followed by graduate work in physics, chemistry, materials science, optical sciences, astrophysics, engineering, or in other physical sciences such as meteorology, oceanography, etc. Some students instead pursue positions in industry, high school teaching, or in a government laboratory immediately after completing the B.S. This degree program provides a comprehensive grounding in the fundamentals of physics and is usually accompanied by participation in one of the active research programs within the department.

For the B.S. degree, an Area of Emphasis is required. The Professional Preparation Area of Emphasis is the typical plan of study for graduate study in physics. Each Area of Emphasis is designed to allow some room for customization in consultation with your physics advisor within the required number of credits to degree. Recommendations for the other areas of emphasis include:

Computational Physics

Computational models sometimes help solve difficult problems in physics. Students in this area of emphasis learn statistical modeling and other related skills to help analyze various concepts in physics.

Medical Physics

Students in the Medical Physics area of emphasis learn applications of physics that can lead to an exciting range of careers in the medical field. From researching and designing new medical equipment to helping plan radiation treatment for cancer patients, this area of physics is broad but important.

Physics Teaching

For many of us, a love of physics developed from interacting with a motivational physics teacher. This area of emphasis allows students to earn a degree in physics while simultaneously preparing for a career in teaching at the middle or high school level. Students develop pedagogical skills to help others strengthen quantitive reasoning and problem solving skills that are vital in physics -- and anywhere!

Space Physics

Students in this area of emphasis learn skills that help address fundamental questions about our place in the universe, the history of our solar system and more. The challenges of understanding space exploration have led to fascinating expansions in technology, new industries and unprecedented relationships with other nations.

Upon successful completion of the B.S. degree, Physics majors will demonstrate:

1. An understanding of and ability to solve basic conceptual and quantitative problems in theoretical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics.
2. A range of effective strategies, both written and oral, to communicate physics theories, processes, and results.
3. An ability to develop experiments to test basic or applied research questions, to perform accurate experimental measurements, and to critically evaluate others’ answers to research questions.